Threadfall
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 3rd May 2009
Characters: Leisenn, Westni
Description: Leisenn and Westni talk while the girl waits to carry out her Threadfall duty.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 2, day 24 of Turn 5
The siren that warned that Thread was overhead was a simple device. It was in a sheltered spot, outside the Hall itself, but the crank handle that wound it was inside. A sensible arrangement, Leisenn thought.
Apparently it could be electrified - but why bother when the apprentices enjoyed their turn at cranking the siren into those unearthly wails that were more terrifying than Thread?
And then, why make the siren sounding more dependant on technology than the method used to identify Thread's position? Somebody watched out the windows set high into the cliff as a look out. The person aloft called down the ladder, the apprentice wound the handle; the Hall was alerted.
For what reason, Leisenn wasn't sure. Surely not just to heighten awareness and - hopefully not! - spread panic? Some traditions baffled the old dolphineer, but she had to admit more than a little envy for the apprentice standing by the crank handle. One day she might even 'forget' to roster an apprentice to the job and try it herself.
"Are you ready, Westni?" Leisenn couldn't help asking. The girl had probably done the job before. But still -
The old woman smiled.
"I'm ready!" Westni stated eagerly. It was a position looked upon with envy by other apprentices. Turning the crank gave each person who did it a great sense of responsibility, of doing something important. It was a way to help, even if only in a minute sense. "I'll begin turning as soon as I hear the call."
"I might just ..." Leisenn walked a little way toward the stairs up to the lookout, then she stopped. While she could pretend that she was just passing Westni's station, it was impossible to pretend the same thing if she climbed the stairs to the small lookout space. Not that she actually had to pretend - she was the Hallmaster after all. She could go and see anything she liked. But she didn't really like to even appear to be checking up on the ordinary things around the Hall. It would undermine the other masters, the journeymen, and could even make the apprentices think they weren't trusted.
She turned back. "So, Westni. Have you done this duty before?"
"Oh yes." The girl nodded solemnly. She enjoyed the responsibility and Westni was glad that she got to have another turn. "Once before, not long after I was elevated to senior apprentice status."
"Don't the juniors do it?" Leisenn asked, not having noticed that herself.
"Depends on the junior. They tend to give preference to the older apprentices." Westni shrugged and glanced upward as if afraid she might miss the call.
"Oh," Leisenn said with a smile, admiring the contentiousness of the young woman. "Perhaps I should be quiet."
Westni grinned. "Just to be safe."
The Hallmaster waited in silence, but it wasn't a long wait until the call echoed down the stairs from the lookout. The old woman's grin widened as she looked expectantly at Westni.
The girl didn't hesitant but immediately grasped the crank and turned it. The siren began slow, the pitch rising as Westni got into a flow and began to crank faster, the squeal warning the Hall that Thread had come.
Last updated on the May 5th 2009